Junior Omar Carbajal coolly retook the field, connected on a 22-yard field goal for the 24-21 victory that sent host Livonia to the semifinals, where it will face No.1 seed Parkview Baptist, which beat North DeSoto 62-21.

An overflowing crowd that likely included the majority of the town flooded the field with a pile of green-and-gold jerseys atop Carbajal near its center.

"I felt it right away," he said. "It feels great — it feels good to be a part of this team. I did this for them, not for me …

"We're making history right now. My team's never made it this far. That's what I'm thankful for."

Fans arrived hours before the game and eventually wrapped around the entire perimeter of the field.

Pointe Coupee Parish School Board member James "Bado" Cline, a former Livonia linebacker and offensive lineman, helped cook gumbo at a tailgate near the ticket booth before his son, senior lineman Chris Cline, played his final home game.

"We've had some success here before, but nothing along these lines," the elder Cline said. "Getting a victory last week and going to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history, it's just amazing. It's something that this community and whole entire parish and probably the whole 100 miles around Baton Rouge is excited about. We're the only show in town tonight, and everybody's involved.

"It's just a lifetime dream of mine to see for us to see this excitement and accomplish this. And we don't want it to stop."

The crowd was the largest Cline and his friends said they had ever seen at "The Jungle," and the Wildcats didn't disappoint.

Livonia took an early shot from Jennings, who struck first with a 3-yard Charlie Matte touchdown run, but managed every necessary answer — and a little extra.

Quarterback Ben Todd found receiver Darius Hammond free down the left sideline for a score, and Carbajal kicked the extra point for the 7-7 tie.

Jennings fired back with a 4-yard Bryan Wilridge touchdown run, but Livonia wasted just 1:29 before Marquis Beauvais went 4 yards to knot the contest again at 14-14.

Todd powered into the end zone as the halftime buzzer sounded, and the Wildcats took a 21-14 advantage at the midway mark.

Bulldogs quarterback Jaylon Boutte connected with Malik Williams for a 43-yard touchdown pass of their own early in the fourth quarter to scratch back to 21-21.

But — at times against heavy odds — that's all Livonia would allow.

"That was a heck of a high school football game," Jennings Coach Rusty Phelps said. "Two teams played their hearts out and went to double overtime. You know, you hate to see someone have to go home in a tough game like that, but I'm proud of my kids and proud of this coaching staff."

The Wildcats drove the ball inside Jennings' 2-yard line for a fourth-and-inches with two minutes remaining, and Coach David Brewerton opted against the field-goal attempt.

"It's a first-year football player we have as a kicker, and I snuck a peak down there and looked at him, and he had softball-sized eyes," Brewerton said with a relieved laugh. "He was a nervous wreck, and I understand that. And I just thought we were getting that yard whenever we needed it, and I was trying to score literally with no time left because (the Bulldogs) are so potent on offense. That's what I was trying to do, and it backfired on us."

Jennings stuffed the rush attempt, regained momentum and quickly marched back in the other direction.

Livonia needed somewhat of a miracle finish to survive and got it.

Justin Riley burst through the Jennings line to block a 40-yard field goal attempt by Seth Cox as regulation ended.

Carbajal barely missed his first field goal of the night in the first extra period, and James Todd mimicked Riley's effort by blocking a 29-yard Cox kick to force another overtime.

"Words can not describe how I feel right now," Riley said. "There's four teams left, and it's, it's just a blessing. It was God that helped us win this game. The field goal, coach gets on us every day at the beginning and at the end of practice about special teams, and special teams came through this game … We haven't (blocked) a lot, but it's been at spectacular moments."

Boutte and running back Jarquis Brown couldn't connect on a handoff in the second overtime, and Riley quickly pounced on the ball, providing Carbajal his opportunity at redemption and another potential game-winner.

"I was feeling pretty good," Carbajal said. "Knowing I'd have another chance to kick the ball again, it was just just a great feeling. I wouldn't trade this for the world."

Russell Farris led the rushing game with 18 carries for 111 yards, and Hammond caught four passes for 106 yards and a score.

Ben Todd completed nine of 14 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown and rushed five times for 28 yards and another score.

"I'm just so proud of the heart the kids played with down the stretch," Brewerton said. "Gosh, what a big win. The tradition Jennings brings to the table, you're playing them, but you're also playing the tradition there, and just, what a beautiful atmosphere tonight with record crowds here. It's just great to be a part of it … It's unbelievable."